... but probably won't be as consequential as the team's acquisition of former Dolphins tackle Jonathan Martin.

... but probably won't be as consequential as the team's acquisition of former Dolphins tackle Jonathan Martin.

Photo: Diamond Images / Diamond Images/Getty Images

Image 16 of 21

Signing Michael Bennett was Seattle GM John Schneider's top priority, and he got it done ...

Signing Michael Bennett was Seattle GM John Schneider's top priority, and he got it done ...

Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images

Image 17 of 21

... but that meant saying goodbye to fellow end Chris Clemons, a salary cap casualty.

... but that meant saying goodbye to fellow end Chris Clemons, a salary cap casualty.

Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

Image 18 of 21

Cornerback Brandon Browner's departure to New England is a strike against the Legion of Boom's depth ...

Cornerback Brandon Browner's departure to New England is a strike against the Legion of Boom's depth ...

Photo: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images

Image 19 of 21

... as is the loss of fellow cornerback Walter Thurmond to the New York Giants.

... as is the loss of fellow cornerback Walter Thurmond to the New York Giants.

Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images

Image 20 of 21

And Golden Tate's absence will take its toll on offense and special teams, while he makes his mark in Detroit.

And Golden Tate's absence will take its toll on offense and special teams, while he makes his mark in Detroit.

Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images

Image 21 of 21

NFC West free-agency roundup: Seattle Seahawks lose a ton, while Arizona Cardinals make a splash

1 / 21

Back to Gallery

It only took only four years for the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams to morph from the “NFC Least” to the “NFC Best.”

In 2010, the Hawks won the division crown with a 7-9 record. In 2013, the Rams finished with the same mark – good for last place in the suddenly formidable group. In the past three seasons, the division has boasted four NFC Championship Game appearances (three for San Francisco, one for Seattle), two Super Bowl dates (one each for the Niners and Hawks), and a world champion in the 2013 Seahawks.

One week into the NFL’s new year, we take a look at how the league’s best division is faring in the free-agency period: Who improved their squad and who will be looking for additional help? We’ll take a look in reverse order of last year’s standings.

Bottom line: There’s not a lot of buzz surrounding the Rams’ off-season thus far. They took care of their top priority by bringing back Saffold, albeit in a roundabout way after he signed a big-money deal with the Oakland Raiders before failing his physical under mysterious circumstances. Saffold played well while splitting time between guard and tackle last season, and his presence will loom even larger with the losses of Williams, Dahl and Smith on the interior of the O-line.

St. Louis needs to replace a solid backup quarterback in Clemens, who left for San Diego. Former Lions signal-caller Shaun Hill is a possibility, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. Finnegan was jettisoned after two forgettable seasons with St. Louis, and finding more defensive backs seems like an obvious need. Former Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt visited with the team and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him reunite with Jeff Fisher, his former coach in Tennessee.

The Rams have two first-round draft picks (Nos. 2 and 13) as a result of the Robert Griffin III trade with Washington, so expect them to make their splashy moves in May. But nothing St. Louis has done so far this off-season should alter the expectations that this team is a couple of years away from contending.

Bottom line: After the Raiders unexpectedly let the 26-year-old Veldheer test the open market, the Cards wasted no time in scooping him up to protect Carson Palmer’s blindside. After starting 43 games through his first three seasons out of Hillsdale College, Veldheer had looked on the verge of becoming an elite player before torn triceps limited him to just five games in 2013. If he becomes the player most expect him to be, Palmer will have a lot more time to deliver the ball to Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and the rest of Arizona’s receivers.

Roberts won’t be one of them after signing with Washington, but Carlson and Ginn should offset his departure. Ginn isn’t quite the receiver Roberts is, but will contribute immediately in the return game. Mendenhall’s unexpected retirement at age 26 means that second-year back Andre Ellington will be the focal point of the team’s running game, which was widely expected anyway.

Losing Dansby hurts after an excellent season in 2013, and defense looks to be the focus moving forward. Still, the addition of Veldheer alone should have the Cardinals in the mix for a playoff spot again in 2014.

Bottom line: The biggest move for the Niners – like the Rams and Seahawks – was bringing back one of their own in Boldin, who had a nice season as Colin Kaepernick’s go-to guy while Michael Crabtree recovered from a torn Achilles. With a healthy Crabtree back in the fold, Boldin will resume his role as San Francisco’s No. 2 receiver.

Losing Brown, Rodgers and Whitner hurts a secondary that was already the weak link of the 49ers defense, but getting Bethea helps soften the loss. Cornerback could be an area that San Francisco looks to shore up in the draft, as Cook isn’t really much more than a stopgap at this point.

Perhaps the most surprising move of the off-season came when the team acquired Gabbert from Jacksonville for a sixth-round pick. Gabbert has been an unmitigated bust since being taken No. 10 overall in the 2011 draft, but if anyone can turn him into a capable NFL quarterback, or even a passable backup — it’s Jim Harbaugh.

Acquiring Martin from Miami for a conditional seventh-round pick could be a steal for San Francisco. Martin showed starting ability on the right side, and he will provide depth or compete for a starting spot along an already solid O-line.

Bottom line: Keeping Bennett in Seattle was job one for the Seahawks, so mission accomplished. And compared to some of the deals signed by seemingly less proven players – like Minnesota’s Everson Griffen, who signed a four-year deal with $42.5 million – Bennett’s four-year, $28.5 million contract seems like a relative bargain.

With that said, the Hawks have undoubtedly lost more than any other team in the division, if not the entire league. Subtracting veterans Bryant, Clemons and McDonald from a deep, disruptive defensive line group will take a toll, but retaining Bennett and McDaniel certainly should help while youngsters like Jordan Hill and Jesse Williams grow into their roles.

The departures of Browner and Thurmond hurt the secondary’s depth, but the Legion of Boom proved they could win without those two last season. Tate’s signing with Detroit means Hawks fans lost a fan favorite and a dynamic playmaker, but the team must believe that Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse can pick up the slack. Seattle is also expected to make its own run at Britt, and are almost guaranteed to take a receiver in the draft.

Are the Seahawks’ losses enough for the 49ers to leapfrog them as the NFC favorite? It’s way too soon to tell, but one thing’s for certain: All eyes will be on the NFC West again in 2014.